Our readers nominated the 10 best RV water softeners you see on this list. Based on our RV water softener reviews, these are indeed among the best. Many of these softeners we will refer to as ‘portable water softeners’, which highlights the user flexibility the manufacturers intended. Water requirements being all the same, portable systems can be used for RV’s, boats, camping, and mobile car or carpet washing services: really any task which is intolerant to mineral hardened water. So keep reading for our comprehensive RV water softener reviews and prepare yourself for ownership or know-how of ductile and reliable water softening systems.
RV water softeners are portable water treatment units that are designed for road or boat travel water needs. Typically these systems are based on ion exchange water softening technology and operate in quite the same way your home or commercial grade brine based softener would work. Portable water softeners will remove hard mineral ions from your water for a plethora of benefits and possibilities. Soft water can make cleaning and washing tasks much easier, and also has a much better taste, smell and general appeal than regular public water supply.
On the Go OTG4-STD-SOFT
The OTG4-STD is a high flow 8000 grain salt-based portable system with a distinct ‘in and out’ head set up that even includes a bypass. Connections are 1in NPT, and all fittings and connections are made of plastic. The unit comes with a quick connecting back-flush adapter for an easy setup for regeneration. The regeneration process is less than fifteen minutes and only needs one box of table salt. The empty tank and head weigh only fifteen pounds, and a convenient carry handle is included.
Pros
Hi flow shut off valve to prevent spills or waste
Compact and lightweight (6.75in diameter tank and 22in H)
Quick regeneration and easy regeneration setup (includes test kit)
Uses table salt
No tools needed
Includes connecting high pressure hose
Cons
Delicate plastic connections and fittings
Check Price on Amazon: OTG4-STD-SOFT Portable Softener
Watts RV Pro-1000
Watts RV Pro-1000 is powerful compact hard water treatment that will be easy for the road. Based on ion exchange technology, the complete unit weighs only 20lbs and will soften a thousand gallons of moderately hard (10GPG) mineral water before required regeneration. Setup for back-flush is easy with Watts’ custom y-adapter. In less than 20 minutes and with two boxes of table salt your system will be ready for another thousand gallons.
Pros
Great price
Quick regeneration and easy regeneration setup
Includes test kit
Cons
Plastic connections
Does not include hoses and connections
No carrying handle
Check Price on Amazon: Watts Pro RV1000 Portable Softener
ABC Water PWS12 Portable Water Softener
The PWS12 Portable is a salt-based water softener with 12800 grain capacity. It can be charged with either pellet or table salt which adds some flexibility to the unit. The connections are industrial grade brass and are 3/4in standard thread. The unit weighs an unappealing 30lbs, but is still compact enough to fit neatly in your RV storage bunk. A carrying handle would have been a nice addition for the already daunting tank, but for 1300 gallons of batch soft water, I suppose we can neglect the slight insensitivities.
Pros
Good grain capacity
Low cost
Uses table or ‘softener salt’
Brass connections
Cons
Heavy
Check Price on Amazon: ABC Water PWS12 Portable Softener
SoftSpot Nomad P200 Portable Water Softener
The SoftSpot Nomad P200 is a commercial grade brine based softener that treats 1200 gallons of moderately hard water per cycle. At only 17lbs, this unit is really lightweight and comes with a handy military grade handle. Hose connections are all brass for supreme durability. These softeners will handle setups with pressures up to 60PSI and the package includes a particulate filter for a more complete water treatment. Setup for regeneration is easy and will only take ten minutes. The Nomad P200 however, is designed to use commercial grade pellet salt for best results.
Pros
Quick regeneration
Convenient carrying handle
Impressively light weight
High pressure operation
Brass fittings
Great price
Cons
No table salt
No hoses included
Outdoor use only
Check Price on Amazon: SoftSpot Nomad P200 RV Softener
On the Go OTG4-DBL-SOFT
OTG4-DBL-SOFT is a portable softener powerhouse, and is the largest compact model available on the market today. Grain capacity is a prodigious 16000 grains which means 1600 gallons of soft water for your convenience. Of course, if you live in areas with the worst hardness levels in America, this softener will only give you 1000 gallons before performance wanes. Yet still – how great is that! This unit gets a bit heavy, weighing 30lbs, but with the favourably fitted carrying handle mobile flexibility is maintained. The hose connections are plastic and the system comes with a 4ft HP hose, connectors and a back flush adapter for fast regeneration setup. Regeneration requires two boxes of regular salt and takes thirty minutes. Includes travel cap and plug to prevent leaks during transportation.
Pros
High capacity
High flow shut off valve
Compact (9in diameter tank x 22in H)
Lifting handle
Cons
30min regeneration
Delicate plastic connections and fittings
Heavy
Pricey
Check Price on Amazon: OTG4-DBL-SOFT RV Softener
SoftSpot Nomad 400 Water Softener and Spot Reducer
This Nomad 400 softener is the SoftSpot powerhouse. For a tough high capacity commercial grade system, the Nomad 400 is the answer. This softener will treat 2400 gallons on each charge. Regeneration takes less than fifteen minutes but must be done using commercial grade softener salt for promised results. The unit includes industrial grade brass quick connect fittings and a though military grade lifting handle neat bolted to the control head. Operating pressure may be up to 60PSI and the system includes an inline particulate filter for water softening and filtration. Unit weighs 30lbs: 9in diameter tank at 22in H (including the head). No tools are required. Not bad.
Pros
High pressure system
High capacity
Quick regeneration
Includes particulate filter
Compact
Quick connect brass fittings
Cons
No table salt
Outdoor use only
No hoses included
Pricey
Check Price on Amazon: SoftSpot Nomad 400 RV Softener
CR Spotless DI-120 Water Systems
The DI-120 from CR Spotless is a best-selling residential system: great for boat, car and carpet washing. These units feature a cartridge design and do not require the usual regeneration or salt. Instead, there is a ‘resin cartridge’ that you buy and replace for continued use of your system. These softeners are still salt based, but the brine resin beads have been conveniently packaged for you. The 6.5lbs resin refill gives you 200 gallons. The unit comes with a mounting stand for easy movement and set up. They are nicely priced and the purchase comes with a battery operated hardness tester for water analysis. The unit itself is a bit heavy at 27lbs and the bulky tank is 28in tall at 12in diameter.
Pros
Best selling (the people love it!)
Low cost
Practical mounting stand (no tank tipping to worry about)
No regeneration water
Cons
A bit heavy
Cartridge refills (every 200 gallons too!)
Check Price on Amazon: CR Spotless DI120 Portable Softener
On the Go OTG3-NTP-3M
The OTG3 has a 7000 grain capacity; weighing only 18lbs. Regeneration is under fifteen minutes and requires only one box of regular salt. It features On the Go’s high-flow inlet shut off valve and the comfort lifting handle. Service hose and fittings are included, and the connections are all plastic. So that’s 700 gallons, one box of salt.
Pros
Hi flow shut off valve to prevent spills or waste
Compact and lightweight (6.75in diameter tank and 22in H)
Quick regeneration and easy regeneration setup (includes test kit)
No tools needed
Includes connecting high pressure hose
Great value-for-dollar
Cons
Delicate plastic connections and fittings
Check Price on Amazon: OTG3 NTP-3M RV Softener
ABC Water PWS16 Portable Water Softener
ABC Water’s PWS16 Portable is one of the more expensive systems, but it comes with high grain capacity and long life brass connections. It is the first ABC Water model to include a lifting handle and regenerates on table salt. The unit will give you 1600 gallons per cycle on truly hard water and weighs 35lbs. A test kit is included.
Pros
High capacity
Convenient lifting handle
Use table salt for charge
Weather resistant brass connections
Cons
Heavy
Pricey
Check Price on Amazon: ABC Water PWS16 RV Softener
ABC Water PWS32 Clack Portable Water Softener
Dubbed the Clack 32000, this PWS32 Portable system from ABC Water is the ultimate portable water softener. Though testing the limits of mobility at sixty pounds, this compact tank and custom head setup is good for a whopping 3200 gallons before the need for regeneration. The regeneration process is still manual, but is completed within a few minutes and uses regular table salt. The specially designed tank control head features 1in NPT brass in and out connections, with an integrated bypass for longer setup periods. This system is great for contractors who may need soft water for the duration of a project or job or other ‘site’ based work. The purchase comes with a water testing kit.
Pros
Brass fittings
Ultra-High mobile capacity (3200gals of 10GPG water)
Uses table salt
Quick regeneration
Includes integrated bypass for longer setups
Cons
Heavy (60lbs)
No lifting handle
Expensive
Check Price on Amazon: ABC Water PWS32 Portable Softener
Get rid of unsightly “water spots” on your car after you wash – you may never again need to wipe after washing. Portable soft water is good for boat washing, carpet cleaning, and pretty much any other remote task you may have that requires a quality water supply, or involves detergent based cleaning. For easy mobility and flexible use, mobile softeners are usually lightweight with fast regeneration times. Regeneration will in most instances require manual setup and monitoring, however, most systems have integrated technology to speed up or alleviate the headaches associated with the aging concept of manual regeneration.
There are things to look for when choosing a good RV softener. You want to pay close attention to the value you are getting. The types of fittings and connections is a key consideration – for the frequent set up and teardown of these units, it is well worth your while to consider the feasibility of lightweight plastic fittings. Of course if you are a meticulous equipment owner, plastic fittings can last for years while significantly reducing weight. You will also want to pay attention to the size and weight of your unit: how will it store? How heavy is it? Water softening systems are simple systems with easily understood parameters, but bringing a critical and informed approach to your selection can do much to guarantee years of reliable service with a single investment.
That’s our pick for the ten best RV Water Softeners currently available. Be sure to choose a system based on your personal needs: how portable you need the system to be, and how tough and large a softener you require. Portable softeners are great for a variety of applications, and though oftentimes designed specifically for RV adventurers, with a bit of imagination these softeners can readily meet your specific treatment needs. We hope our RV Water Softener reviews will be handy in helping you select the right portable soft water system to reduce mineral hardness in your potable water supply.
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